Mission Sustainability Initiative

The Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) at Forefront is dedicated to helping nonprofits thrive by providing the resources for leaders to regularly and thoughtfully explore collaboration and partnership strategies. Wraparound support includes confidential conversations, educational programming, community convenings, connections to vetted consultants and other resources, and funding opportunities.

MSI services are available at no cost to all Illinois-based nonprofits. Reach out to the MSI Director at [email protected] to learn more.

What are strategic partnerships?

MSI Services

The Mission Sustainability Initiative at Forefront provides wraparound resources and support to guide nonprofit leaders as they explore a wide range of approaches to building sustained collaborations and strategic partnerships.

The MSI’s Impact

The MSI aims to change the social impact sector's culture and conversation around strategic partnerships, providing support, not pressure, to those interested in collaborations of all kinds.

Each year, the MSI works with over 100 organizations as they explore ideas and resources for partnership development.

Since its inception in 2016, the Mission Sustainability Initiative has made more than 60 grants totaling over $1.5 million and supporting more than 50 unique partnerships.

MSI Funders

The MSI is a collaboration that supports collaboration. Participants in the MSI Fund provide invaluable experience and resources for greater impact on the collaborative process. Forefront honored to partner with the following organizations:

Interested in joining your peers in this collective effort to build a more collaborative and resilient nonprofit ecosystem in Illinois? Contact the MSI Director at [email protected].

Joanne Otte from the Chicago Community Trust and Anne Posner from RRF Foundation for Aging are Co-Chairs of the MSI Fund.

Forefront also thanks launching contributors: Cuore e Mani Foundation, Dentons, Dunham Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, Lazard, Sidley Austin LLP, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, William Blair & Company, L.L.C., and Winston & Strawn LLP.

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